Smith Rock State Park plans limited reopening on Thursday

Some facilities, camping trails will remain closed, limited parking

TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) - Smith Rock State Park, the world-renowned, popular climbing and hiking area, will have a limited, partial reopening next Thursday, officials said.

The park has been closed since March 23, largely due to crowds that were not following social distancing restrictions, according to an announcement on SmithRock.com, an independent website with information about the park.

"The partial opening is attempting to address both issues, overcrowding and safety guidelines," the statement said. "Help everyone to have this precious resource stay available to us by respecting the park rules and each other."

"This is really geared towards LOCAL visitors, as there were will only be 200 parking spots vs the usual 500, the Bivy (Bivouc Camp) will be closed, as are hotels and other campgrounds in the area," the website said. "The park WILL get closed again if things go nuts."

Here are the details park Manager Matt Davey emailed Friday afternoon to the park's partners, stakeholders and neighbors:

"We are set to have a limited, and partial re-opening of Smith Rock State Park this coming Thursday, May 14^th.  We will remain closed this weekend and the first part of next week while staff and work crews do last-minute work to ready the park and trails for visitors. 

"It won’t be business as usual when we reopen, as some facilities and trails will remain closed.  Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• Misery Ridge Trail will remain closed for visitor, staff and first responder safety.  Other trails are all open and social distancing guidelines are being placed in key locations.  Please respect trail closures during this initial phase of re-opening.
• The RV and overflow lots will remain closed to limit total park capacity.  Please only park in designated parking spaces, and if the park is full upon arrival, plan to come back another time when it’s less busy.
• The Bivouac Camp will remain closed for now.  Oregon State Parks has a planning committee looking into requirements for opening camping up again, but no dates are yet determined.
• The Welcome Center yurt will stay closed, as well.  Annual passes can be purchased online or at the Terrebonne Oliver Lemons store.
• We need people to cooperate by staying close to home, bringing everything they need for a short visit, then packing everything out. While in a park, people need to give each other space and we strongly suggest wearing a face covering.
• Due to loss of revenue for park operations -- state parks are funded mainly from lottery and user fees, and both drastically lower now -- we cannot fully staff the park.
• If the health situation worsens, or visitors don’t cooperate, or funding becomes even more critical, it will affect our ability to offer service.
• Your safety depends on your own good judgement and constant awareness of the situation.  Your safety is your responsibility: prepare for your visit, and take care.

"Thanks, and looking forward to having you all back at the park," Davey's note concluded.

Marcia Volk, partner and chief content manager for SmithRock.com, stressed that visitors are being urged to bring and use their masks and respect physical distancing rules.

Volk said she lives on 10 acres by the park and hasn't been able to go there since late March, so like many, she's anxious to return.